‘On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord’ (Psalm 137)
Permanent Deacons for the Church
The Apostles themselves, having been called by Jesus to follow Him, thereby assisted Jesus to fulfil the will of His Father. In their task of proclaiming the message of salvation, they quickly found that additional help was need from other Christians:
‘So the twelve called a full meeting of the disciples and addressed them – it would not be for us to neglect the word of God so as to give out food; you brothers must select from among yourselves seven men of good reputation, filled with the Spirit and with wisdom, to whom we can hand over this duty’.
The same needs exist today to enable the People of God to hear His word, and also to receive the Sacraments. Permanent Deacons, as members of the clergy, are ordained to the ministry ‘to participate in the three-fold function of teaching, leading and sanctifying, requisite for the building-up of the community of the Church’ (Lumen Gentium 20).
The Permanent Deacon’s ministry includes a specific role of preaching and teaching, a degree of leadership in the organisation and oversight of specific activities especially of charity in the Church, and the liturgical role assigned to him by Canon Law. Perhaps the best ‘job description’ for Permanent Deacons is that in St Paul’s first letter to Timothy (3:8-13).
Sacrifice of time and self is called for in the Permanent Diaconate. Jesus led by example when He washed the disciples’ feet. The joy of serving the community is what is offered in the Permanent Diaconate ‘whoever serves me, must follow me, and my servant will be with me wherever I am’ (John 12:26).
The particular talents of each permanent deacon gained in his lay career are harnessed for the benefit of the Church. Family and work obligations are fulfilled with the diaconal duties working in harmony.
A prospective Permanent Deacon must possess sufficient maturity to make a lifelong commitment. Where a candidate is married it must be clear that his wife and family fully appreciate the part they will also play in his ministerial vocation. They must be willing to cooperate freely in support of both his training and subsequent ministry. If a candidate is unmarried then he must be willing to freely undertake the canonical requirement of the celibate state, and be able to integrate it positively into his life of service to Christ and the Church.
The formation process begins with an enquiry through the applicant’s parish priest to the Diocesan Diaconate Vocations Director giving brief personal and family details and the reason for application. The Director may make a pre-arranged visit to the enquirer’s home to further discuss the permanent diaconate with the individual (and, if applicable) his wife and family.
On completion of the administrative and application process the enquirer may be selected to begin a period of formal discernment lasting not less than one year, and during this time he will attend several residential weekends (two of which he will be accompanied by his wife, if applicable). As the formal discernment period ends, the enquirer and his wife will undergo a suitability interview conducted by the diocesan bishop and his diaconate formation team, and if successful, the enquirer will begin formal course of studies in September.
Scotland has a well-established training course at Kinnoull Monastery, Perth, for those aspiring to the Permanent Diaconate. The course primarily includes human, doctrinal, pastoral and spiritual formation over a period of four years consisting each year of four residential weekends of lectures and finishing with a 6-day long residential summer school and an end-of year exam. In addition there is a commitment to 15-20 hours home study per week and completion of written assignments under the guidance of a tutor; plus spiritual direction on a regular basis. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to participate fully in the liturgical, sacramental and pastoral life of his local parish. All who have participated in the diaconal training period would readily agree that it has been a great stimulus in both their spiritual and sacramental lives.
There is a team who will support the student (and if applicable, his wife/family), this includes the parish priest, diocesan diaconate vocations director, spiritual director, director of studies, personal tutor, and mentor. There will be an annual student appraisal and interview to monitor progress throughout the course and if found to be suitable, the student will be ordained by his Bishop to take his place with other clergy of the diocese. There will be opportunities for continued personal development and formation after ordination.
Incardinated into the diocese, the Permanent Deacon is a full member of the diocesan, deanery and parish team of clergy, but unlike the priest he is free to participate in approved commercial and political activity not only for the maintenance of his own family, but also in the interests of those he serves. He can therefore provide a liaison between the interests of the clergy and the laity, and also express the official Church presence in the sphere of the secular world. He is, however, to refrain from membership of associations unsuited to the clerical state.
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Mary ~ Who as teacher of faith, by your obedience to the word of God, has cooperated in a remarkable way with the work of redemption, make the ministry of deacons effective by teaching them to hear the Word and proclaim it faithfully.
Mary ~ Teacher of charity, who by your total openness to God’s call, has cooperated in bringing to birth all the Church’s faithful make the ministry and life of deacons fruitful by teaching them to give themselves totally to the service of the People of God.
Mary ~ Teacher of prayer, who through your maternal intercession has supported and helped the Church from her beginnings, make deacons always attentive to the needs of the faithful by teaching them to come to know the value of prayer.
Mary ~ Teacher of humility, by constantly knowing yourself to be the servant of the Lord you were filled with the Holy Spirit, make deacons docile instruments in Christ’s work of redemption by teaching them the greatness of being the least of all.
Mary ~ Teacher of that service which is hidden, who by your everyday and ordinary life filled with love, knew how to cooperate with the salvific plan of God in an exemplary fashion, make deacons good and faithful servants, by teaching them the joy of serving the Church with an ardent love. Amen.
(Prayer from the Directory for the Ministry & Life of Permanent Deacons – 1998)